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 Suns Still Standing Despite Spurs' Heavyweight Punches
Posted By: Gary Bender |
 Steve Nash has willed his team to victories in the past and will do it again in this series.(NBAE Photos) |
I don’t think the Spurs can play any better, but the Suns can, and I think they will! How many times will Duncan hit such a big three point shot, or will the Suns get in as much foul trouble early? I question if the Spurs have enough fire-power, if they can score enough points to win the series.
The series features two of the best big men to ever play the game in Duncan and Shaq. They are bigger that life. Each man wants a coveted 5th ring. Duncan may be the best power-forward to ever play the game, but how many 40 point games does he have in him? Shaq, one of the most dominating big men of all-time, doesn’t need to have such an outrageous game, as he has a better supporting cast. The Spurs have no answer for Amar'e. He can dominate. He is the best player on the floor. As Van Gundy put it, “He just has to think he is the best.” Steve Nash has willed his team to victories in the past and I believe it's going to happen again! He is too good to be denied a first round series win. Grant Hill will continue to get healthier, Diaw and Barbosa will bring crucial bench points and Raja will get under Ginobili’s skin.
It’s just the Suns time. It’s their time because this series is deeply personal. It’s about settling a score! Bring on round-two!
Comments
Darren - Texas
I agree that Amare is very good. As a fan of the game, I love watching him play. I can't believe the game went into 2OT after the Suns were up 16. They should be ashamed the game was so close that allowed Tim Duncan to be a 3 point shooter. Spurs will win number 2 and 3 because they won't let themselves get stuck in a hole these next games. Spurs in 6 on their way to their next championship.
aris cristobal - philippines (quezon city)
i agree that the suns will bounce back. its a long series and they will finally break the spurs' spell and win a hard-fought series..
everybody knows its' a hard series. we don't expect to win a sweep but we definitely believe we will win it this time..
Atrexl - china
Round-2!!!!
Fight!!!!
We can't take 2 consecutive loss home!!!
Margaret - Glendale, AZ
Thanks for your insight, Gary. We love you on the broadcasts with both EJ and Thunder Dan, keep up the good work. Will you be doing more writing for Suns.com throughout the playoffs?
josephah2000 - River City
Amare has gone off on the Spurs over and over again....guess what??? The Spurs still win!!!! Point is a moot one.
Josh - Uvalde, TX
hey man,
The Spurs are a PROVEN CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM!!
Until the Suns actually beat the Spurs, they cannot claim anything about a title. I know its harsh, but the Spurs had to do the same thing when losing to the Lakers (in the 1980's or even in the 2000's too).
The Suns are much better this year, but they haven't beaten the Spurs when it counted...yet!
until then, i only wish the Suns fan the best of luck in their team's quest to dethrone the Spurs who have ended their seasons many times before....
PS: enjoy the nail-biting series....
John S. - Surprise AZ
Suns gave game one away. A disciplined team wouldn't run over a defender with a five point lead, a well coached team would have fouled with a three point lead and seconds to go. All the what if's in the world are not changing the outcome of "best of seven". It's not winner take all, Suns get to try redemtion. What does need to change however, is our approach to beating the Spurs. We have to compete with them in the "smart basketball" part of the game. Suns know they can play and beat San Antonio. Now we have to prove we can eliminate the glaring mistakes that haunt us time after time. Smart, limited error play will defeat the Spurs. It's come down to this, play smart or be eliminated by a team that is not as good as the Suns.
jay - phoenix
Experience counts. It will go 6 or 7 games and the Spurs will win it. The Spurs are still the Champs and you have to give them credit for being mentally tough and coming back. They never gave up. That says a lot more than blowing a 16 point lead. They had 8 turnovers in the 1st quarter! The Spurs can't play any better? Are you blind? The first quarter was horrible. They dug themselves in that hole and they still bounced back and won the game. Unbelievable coaching by Greg Poppovich. The Suns are probably more talented and athletic, but the Spurs are more savvy and have a higher basketball IQ. Plus...They've been here before many times with the same team. Spurs in 6 or 7.
omar - Urbana, Il.
The Spurs survived through "generous" officiating, Shaq not playing the first half, Amare picking up ghost fouls and all the Suns getn hit with ticky-tack fouls. Also, Denzel Thomas has only won one Oscar for best acting!! I hope this motivates the suns to kick their tails. ALL of the Gods were on the Spurs side in that game. Giving the probability that Duncan AND Parker both hit critical threes and they needed Duncan's to squeek out a win AT HOME, there's no way they can have a game that good again. It was their best ever, so Suns in 6!
tj espique - philippines manila
i agree to the fact that this series is not going to be easy and it will be a test for the suns.i think and agree with some basketball analysts that whoever wins this series is going to win it all..points to be considered amare should be smart enough for this series he has to learn from game 1 and he has to grow from it as soon as possible..the suns have all the necessary tools to get the job done this time around...in the end steve nash will be leading the way and shaq will be leading the supporting cast...this time around the spurs would be dangerous than ever but the suns wont be denied this time around..go suns!!!
Andrea - Paris, France
The concerning point here is that in the last seconds of the game and OTs, the Spurs made 2 open 3-pointers plus the game winning layup.
The Suns had 3 forced shots of which Barbosa and Diaw were out and Nash's went in.
Unfortunately the Suns are less good than the Spurs in these situations. We need to target to be up by ten.
rey tatoy jr. - muntinlupa city, philippines
It's a long series and I believe that the Suns will rise again and win the series in six games. It's just a bummer that Amare wasn't able to drop a pass to Shaq , instead was called for a charging foul. Oh well, that's the breaks of the game. Go Suns!!!
dasnarayan - virginia
It was a game that suns gave away, they had it in their pockets and let it be snatched. Spurs were lucky to get away, not every game can Duncan shoot 3's or score 30+.
Amare, Shaq and Nash are a force unstoppable. Phoenix will win it in six.
Anthony Yan - Philippines
the sun will win.
enough said.
Adam Marsolek - Phoenix (Goodyear)
What a heart-wrenching game! The main thing I took out of the Spurs victory is that the Spurs do not have integrity. If it takes a player to flop all over the floor to get a foul called, then you as a player know you are not better offensively or defensively. That is dirty play and a poor way to win a game. I sure hope the refs look at that and call the game correctly and consistantly for both teams, and that they do not get caught up in the crowd. Suns will bring the intensity in game 2 and not let a lead diminish down the stretch; smart play will be key in this win. Suns in 6 if they win game 2. Go Suns!
John M - San Antonio
What do you mean "Spurs have no answer for amare"? Duncan scored 40+. What about no answer for timmy? He has been to the big dance and has won it 4 times. A team has to be not only talented but mentally tough. Mentally, the suns do not have it. If they did, the suns would have won. Also, (very important) POP out-coached your coach. Again, that's because POP has been there before. Mental toughness and Defense will always win out.
Juan C. Puente - Fort Worth, Texas
If you think the Spurs cannot improve in game two, maybe you should interview Coach Gregg Popovich, and see what he thinks. I'm sure you'll get a "deeply personal" response. And all this talk about revenge, getting-even, evil-empire, hocus-pocus, curse, or whatever else Suns fans are calling their incompetence in defeating the Spurs, maybe execution and focus on defense down the stretch are the keys to beating the NBA Champion Spurs.
Onin - Philippines
Go Suns although Spurs are so hard to beat but I believe Phoenix will prevail. I'm just sick of the Spurs.
Chris - Elsah
Duncan is a Hall of Famer, no doubt. But if I was a Spurs fan I would still be nervous that he had to score 40 in double OT to take down a team that is an "incompetent defensive team". 1. The Suns are a much better defensive team then the pundits like to claim. Look at Hollinger's #'s on espn or just open your eyes. Manu made a great shot because he is a great player. TD scored 37 because the Suns were in foul trouble and 3 more because the Suns did play defense and forced him to shoot a three. If the Suns win by 20 in game 2 the first game will be proof that the Spurs needed a heroic effort to beat the Suns playing mediocre ball. I respect the Spurs, they are a well coached team with legit champions on their team, but the better team is from the valley of the sun...
Seb - Woking, near London UK
they'll bounce back
if only wed got it into 3 OT, duncan would have died of exhaustion and we'd hav won
R T - San Antonio
It was a great game; this series is the true championship series.
Nick - Mesa, AZ
The SUNS are a resilient team they will win game 2 and I beleive we will win both our games at home cause our crowd is going to be the loudest its ever been. SUNS will win the series this is their time and they will RISE.
Catman - Vancouver
It is hard to predict any outcome when teams are so evenly matched. I love the Suns but they need to play with their brains at the end of games. Stats commits two unnecessary fouls in OT(both turn-overs). However, I am sure Spurs fans could identity several errors they made in OT. SHAQ can shut down Duncan (see 3rd quarter). I hope SUNS prevail.
Cheryl - Chinle, Az
That was a close one that the sun let slip but I am sure they will not happen again. The SUNS in 5
KC - Victoria, BC
What happened to the defense at the end. "Don't allow a 3, don't allow a 3" and then 2 guys are wide open for 3's to tie. They should have allowed a dunk and then inbounded to Nash and the spurs would have had to foul. And then giving the ball to Diaw not once, not twice but 3 times for game winners.... come on. Let Bell or Barbosa have a sniff if all the attention is on Nash or Amare. The coaches HAVE to be pissed off after that game, either that they didn't tell the team, or that they told them and it wasn't executed.
Carlos - LA
I'm a true Suns fan and I agree with Gary. This is a heavy weight bout and you can't call it by the first round. The facts are the Spurs won and worked hard for it on their home court. We just need to steal one of their home games and defend all of ours.
And we will.
Resa Doodoh - Jakarta, Indonesia
Yo Spurs fans... The game it's not over until it's over, my friend...Let's see who'll have the last cheer...>:)
We SUNS fans already knew it's not going to be an easy game, coz we respect the SPURS as well... We already expected this is going to be an exciting and very entertaining match...
What matters is that we love this game and we enjoy playing it...that's our passion...right guys?
I believe the SUNS will win this match in the end...
GO SUNS...!!!
Resa Doodoh - Jakarta, Indonesia
Yo Spurs fans... The game it's not over until it's over, my friend...Let's see who'll have the last cheer...>:)
We SUNS fans already knew it's not going to be an easy game, coz we respect the SPURS as well... We already expected this is going to be an exciting and very entertaining match...
What matters is that we love this game and we enjoy playing it...that's our passion...right guys?
I believe the SUNS will win this match in the end...
GO SUNS...!!!
Justin - North Phoenix
As i was born in San Antonio i know how "boring" they can play.I watched them win 2 championships and i was never convinced with their style of play, they act a lot, and by acting i mean flop and they wine until they get their way. When i lived in San Antonio i was a laker and suns fan, when i moved to phoenix in 2004 i was excited and ready to go for a new team, and since then the suns have evolved and matured into a total different team then we've ever seen. Spurs fans can brag all they want because thats how they are....COCKY...but truth is they are old and its time for the suns to prevail, San Antonio came up with a LUCKY win last game, Tim Duncan is not a three shooter and he even said he didn't know what was going to happen. Game 2 is going to be intense but i predict the suns are going to win the next 3 in a row they are strong and are more than ready for a championship. Suns are #1 no doubt
Jay - Phoenix
It's funny....I don't remember the Lakers ever complaining that the Spurs were a dirty team, or that Bowen was dirty. That never came out of Kobe's mouth. Why? Because the Lakers were there to play basketball and respected the Spurs for playing great defense. This is one reason why the Suns will not win this year. Who cares that you won the season series 3-1. This is the Playoffs man! The Spurs have been there and done that in 4 of the last 9 years!! Listen to their interviews after games, that's how champions act. They are humble and show respect for the other team. The Spurs respect the Suns and they should, it will be a tough series, but you don't hear them complain like little kids about all the flopping Nash did, or those ridiculous charging calls that were made against them. They complain during the game, and I agree sometimes it's a little too much, but calls will not go their way all the time and they know that. Here's a tip Phx fans, stop living in the past, except your situation and give credit where credit is due. The Suns blew the game b/c they are mentally weaker than the Spurs! They will not win. For those of you who said that was the best the Spurs could play...you are in for a big surprise buddy!!!!! I can't wait until the Spurs surprise the Suns on Tuesday night. In the playoffs, there is no such thing as luck, and if the Spurs got lucky, then Suns fans need to be worried. I hope the Suns keep underestimating the Spurs. That's a MAJOR mental mistake and first step to your demise in the first round. Congrats Ginobili for winning the 6th man award!
hicoo - Utah
I Love you Amare you guys are the shiz and you been getting crap this year throw back in their faces baby
James Hamilton - San Antonio
I think the suns are full of talent. great team. You cry about floppers. Raja Bell is a great one. Shaq cries about foul calls. He went to the free throw line as a gift and missed 3 free throws in a row. Even Steve Nash missed a free throw. In life champions focus on what they control and conquer their own faults and weaknesses. There were calls that went both ways that you can complain about obviously. I don't see why what the spurs did is heroic? Michael Finley hit an open three because two phoenix sun players don't understand the concept of switching on a screen. Michael Finely had a wide-open three. It is his mans job to call out the screen and to make sure that the three point line is guarded. Suns fault. Tim Duncan hit a three. Hey call it luck if you want but he hit it. Barbosa can't play defense on ginobili at all even after Steve Nash hit a three bailing your team out. Barbosa's defense was a weakness the whole game. go watch the film. Tim's three should not have even matter. If Diaw can be clutch then hey you'd be up 1-0. The spurs just beat the suns. If the suns won I would have tipped my hat. Tip your hat to us just like steve nash did. He is a champion in my book because he doesn't complain. He knows he missed a free throw that he shouldn't have which would have one the game. He is your leader. Follow his example. By the way is it true the D'Antoni used to be a car salesman? I didn't believe the rumors even though he looks like one.
deb - dallas
Come on now, Duncan and Ginobli are great plsyers, but the Suns are not a second rate team and they proved that during the season--we just don't always play smart. Shaq needs to quit elbowing and practic those free-throws. Nash needs to put more on the board, as well as help his team mates. Coach D needs to get Nash in sooner and coach a little smarter. Go SUNS you can take the Spurs!
anthony zeitouna -
you guys are the best
arnel fonz - philippines
SHAQ will have to stay away from foul trouble in order for suns to win this series. Amare also must have to play smart. He had a lot of boneheaded mistakes in game 1. He has to control his emotions and channel them to smart play.
Shaq has to start asserting his leadership in the remaining games of this series. Suns has made the genius of a decision for hiring him. With him, suns now have a complete team and can look forward to getting their first championship ring.
chester - Philippines
SUNS WILL WIN THIS SERIES WITH SPURS.....
watch them play and youll be proud..
that's it...
paulo nash - philippines
DEFINITLY its gonna be the suns to win these series. nash and the rest of the team will rise to the occasion
paulo nash - philippines
DEFINETLY its gonna be the suns to win these series. nash and the rest of the team will rise to the occasion and they will emerge as the better time in the this series and hoping to have that crown.
kristel velasquez - philippines
"OH MY... OH MY GOSH" those are words that i was saying in their first game when it came to 2overtime!!!!!! i felt the excitement in every shot of the players!! suns did their best... but then manu is just lucky hehe...
anyway enough of that! it's playoff very unpredictable! i love the way suns play...but maybe something's just really missing... i knw suns will fire up! whether we win or lose ,we praise GOD!
Dustin - Provo
I like how the suns hate Thomas for how he plays this year but not when he was on their team doing the same stuff to Duncan. What since joining the Spurs he became Dirty over night, I don't think so. and last year Did you hear Duncan complain, no, ok he makes those stupid eyes after a foul, thats all he does he hardly gets T'd up or say anything after the game. I don't consider that to be whining. And the spurs floppers ok some are but so are the Suns look what D'antoni says about floppers he calls it gamemanship and says Bell is one of the best at it.
Spurs in 5
Shaq Dominance -
We will get there! I smell larry O'brien trophy and Suns marching down the streets of Phoenix. Shaq will be Shaq :) Amare will step up to the next level and Steve will be Steve. Then, we will get there! Just be smart !!!!!
Rochelle Gilmore - Tempe, Az
Round 2!...go suns!........
Ed - New York, NY
If Timmy there hit another of that crazy three poniter, I'll reconsider Suns chances on winning this series! Well, perhaps Shaq should also try his LUCK on a three point bucket, and perhaps that's the answer?! Spurs needed 40 pts from Timmy and a crazy shot to win the game by two, I doubt they'll be able to do that again! Okay, unless Shaq and Stat both gets fouled out early......but is that Spurs game plan?? Just keep fouling suns starters out of the game.....and Spurs "wins" the series.....oh, just like last year, huh?? Hmm.......Suns in 6! Go Suns!
Fredy - Surabaya, Indonesia
i think suns is the best team now!! in first game spurs just lucky, not more!! don't beleived? just sit n watch them play n destroyed all, especially spurs!!! it's SUNS Time!!!
brandon knotts - florence az
i think phx is in pretty good shape because thay took the best that s.a. had tim wont score 40 points a game again, and phx did everything without shaq pretty much,and thay cant stop amare.if phx wins game two,phx in 6......
brandon knotts - florence az
i think phx is in pretty good shape because thay took the best that s.a. had tim wont score 40 points a game again, and phx did everything without shaq pretty much,and thay cant stop amare.if phx wins game two,phx in 6......
sunswin - phx
Spurs are an unbelievable team, that is why they are champions, so they are due the credit. They have the discipline, coaching and confidence. Now, we have had a pretty good season against them, so we have ourselves to kick for not finishing. I just don't want the Suns going into the AT&T center with their heads down, there is no need for that. I refuse to believe that the Spurs are just too good to be beaten by the Suns. When we are frustrated we have to turn this frustration into energy, its like fuel.
kevin - vancouver
if suns get smarter,they will win 6.
suns - phoenix
Look for the Suns to play their best tonight. They will be ready.
Lui - CAlifornia
The suns are goin to take the championship this year!
.their doin way better than last year especially with shaq!
The first playoff game against San Antonio which was on sunday spurs got lucky because of the wet three point shot that tim duncan made it was all luk come on u gotta be kidden me!
SUNS ALL THE WAY!
Chuck - Home of the 08 Champions- Phoenix
Go Suns, Suns will win by 15 tonight and win the series in 6.
Madz Victor - Manila, Philippines
I woke up as early as 3:30 early morning (time here in Philippines) last Sunday (here Manila) to watch the game one. Sad to say, I'm very disappointed with the calls of the officials against Shaq. its really hard to play against 8 men in the floor. I do hope that they will be faired enough today (Game 2). If the officials will be faired, i think this series will be conluded until game 5 only in favor of Suns. Go SUNS!
Sean Sylvain - Levittown
I think the suns will be strong next year and for the playoffs. The trade was not good. Marion in better then Shaquille. The team was better with Marion. Good luck Suns
ryan - philippines
good luck in game 2!! i hope we can win the game!!
Gary - Mesa
I am sure this post won't make the light of day. But the Suns need to move on without D'Antoni. He gets outcoached every single year in the playoffs. He's a great coach in December and January.
Rhon - Vigan City
Phoenix is a powerful team in the nba, Steve Nash, Shaquille O`neal, and Amare will prove it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jeffrey chua - plaridel.bulacan philippines
all i can say is that the phoenix suns is the best and they will become the NBA CHAMPS!!!!!
Sean - Denver
The suns are a much better team than the spurs. Granted the spurs are mentally tough, we have to be mentally tougher. Now with the aquisition of Shaq there is a way to slow down the big men and regain momentum. When the suns are burning on all 8 they will leave the spurs, and the western confrence, in a trail of fire!
Lets stop the doubters. lets rally behing them and start believeing!
kenneth williams - queen creek
i believe that the suns will win it in the next 2 games and the spurs will not win the title the suns will
kenneth williams - queen creek
i believe that the suns will win it in the next 2 games and the spurs will not win the title the suns will
Alex - San Antonio
Suns are good , but not good enough to be NBA CHAMPS!!!!
DOR - PHOENIX
WELL WRITTEN ARTICLE MR BENDER. VERY OPTIMISTIC INDEED! BUT RIGHT NOW, WE ALL KNOW HOW SADLY WE FACED THE SPURS LAST NIGHT ONCE AGAIN... MAYBE WE SHOULD TRY ZONE DEFENSE? COACH D'ANTONI, CAN YOU DO THIS, SIR? JUST FOR ONCE... THE SUNS HAVE TO GET THAT PRIDE BACK FOR THEIR OWN SANITY'S SAKE!!!
perry - philippines
suns are down 0-3 right now..but i believe that the suns can reverse this deficit if they play more defense and perfect offense. suns don't lose hope. win this series and prove them that with o'neal on the team is better and good..
what will it take to win? - take games 1 by 1
KURT THOMAS ISNT AS DIRTY...POPOVICH MAKES HIM DIRTY....PPL HAVE TO GIVE MORE MENTAL TOUGHNESS TO SUNS AND MORE MORE MORE VARIETY OF PLAYERS...MEANING DANTONI MAKING SPLIT SECOND ADJUSTMENTS ALL THRUOUT THE GAME....NOT JUST BEFORE AND AFTER GAMES
WE CAN WILL
WE WILL IF WE WILL ENOUGH
Matt - New zealand
the suns are gunna be the first team in nba history to win the series after being down 3-0
suns rock!!!
prince - Kentucky
GO SUNS, Stun the world
DOR - Phoenix
No doubt about Amare being good, he is also one of the most poised I have ever seen in all the players that do their dunks... not to mention one of the most good-looking as well... Anyway, yes, we can still win this but we need to keep on going, that intensity, that fire.. keep it burning... and keep your FOCUS... And no doubt, the Suns will win.... Miracles can happen, we've seen it happen right in our very own eyes last Sunday... Go SUNS!!!
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